Skoda has emerged as one of the leading brands of modern vehicles in the mid-range market. The catalyst for change was the Volkswagen involvement with the brand, which began in the early 1990s, but Skoda has also made its own mark.
The Skoda Octavia Hatchback is one of the company’s most popular models. It is a car that pleases everyone. The only difficult decision you have to make is which one to choose!
Your choice will depend on the type of driving you do. Urban and low-mileage owners generally opt for either the 1.0 litre petrol or the 1.6 litre diesel, both of which offer excellent fuel economy. Those who routinely travel farther afield may prefer the 1.5 litre petrol, or even the 2.0 litre diesel versions, which offer a little more in the way of power for overtaking and high-speed roads. Some popular trim levels include:
Even though this is the basic model in the Octavia Hatchback range, it still comes with plenty of high-end equipment. Full LED split headlamps, air conditioning, Bluetooth and a touch-screen entertainment zone with DAB radio all come as standard, as does a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel.
With the SE, enjoy dual zone climate control, rear parking sensors and a 7" SatNav system to keep you right on track. The SE also comes with numerous body colour and interior upholstery choices too, so you can really make the car your own.
Ideal for business travellers, the SE Drive has an integrated entertainment system with a 9.2" screen navigation panel, WiFi hotspot technology and a phone dock in the centre console, which not only charges your phone but boosts the signal too.
Inside, the Octavia is adaptable for any driver, with all manner of seat, mirror and steering wheel adjustments available. Whether you're 5' or 6'6", you can still get into a perfect driving position. Everything you need to see on the dashboard is set out right in front of you and carefully backlit so you never need to take your eyes off the road to check your fuel gauge.
Two particular words spring to mind here - comfort and practicality. The Skoda Octavia Hatchback is particularly well known for its positive steering. The robust, yet forgiving, suspension makes even long journeys on the roughest of our roads pleasant.
The bigger engines are capable of a very decent 0-60mph time, aided by the ratio-driven 6-speed gearbox (or 7-speed dual clutch for automatics) and making the car fun for those who like to drive hard once in a while.
The Skoda Octavia Hatchback has been given an unequivocal 5* Euro NCAP rating. As well as seven airbags and ABS, it boasts a really impressive list of driver-assistance features, including autonomous emergency braking.